Day: December 9, 2006

  • ~~Homemade Marshmallows and A Winter Sunset~~

    Bar Star Vine divider  


    Well, it’s been
    a quiet Saturday for me.   The guys were at work, but now they’re home.  Lewis, and Ian, have a prison ministry on Saturday nights, and Ian is opting out tonight…he’s not feeling good, but Lewis is going.  They’ve really been able to help those guys!  They are searching for the truth….a better way of life, and I’m proud of my guys for being committed to helping them!  I can see their lives being blessed because of their caring hearts!   The group of guys grows every weekend….which is sort of sad to say in one sense, because there are so many in the jail now, but, of course, victorious in another sense, because they’ll find new life in those meetings!  God is our Redeemer!!
     
      
    PIC PRISON LIGHT
     

    And now, I’m sitting here on a cold, crisp evening, with a hot cup o’ cocoa, and looking at the most beautiful winter sunset…..one of my favorite things…nothing compares!  I love the way the leafless trees look against the backdrop of the bright orange
    evening sky!!  If only we could freeze time!!  Ah, but not so…….God has more beauty planned for us!
     
     
     Pic Winter Sunset 3
     
     
    Well, it’s officially cold, and windy, here in Indy, so before the predicted warm up that is coming next week,
    I wanted to share a yummy hot cocoa recipe…and, have you ever heard of homemade marshmallows?
    Absolutely wonderful…..and so much more healthy!  It’s a little bit of work, but it’s so worth it!! 
    Hope you all enjoy this!  Just be sure you have a 
    couple of very large wintery mugs for this one!!
      
     
    snowflakepeach

    Bar Snowman Hats for Snowman Huddle x 4Bar Snowman Hats for Snowman Huddle x 4

     Blinkie Hot Cocoa Makes Me Happy
     
    HOT COCOA
    &
    HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS
     
    HOT COCOA
     
    3/4 cup powdered milk
    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    3/4 cup sugar
    1/2 cup cocoa powder
    4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
    Homemade Marshmallows, recipe follows

    Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
    Take the bittersweet chocolate and roughly chop it up to give a chunky but consistent size.
    Mix well with a wooden spoon and then store in a dry airtight container.
    To make the hot chocolate, simply add 1 cup of water per 1/2 cup of hot cocoa mix.
    Heat in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring with a whisk.
    Heat until hot, but do not boil, about 6 to 7 minutes.
    Serve with Homemade Marshmallows.

    Bar Snowman Hats for Snowman Huddle x 4Bar Snowman Hats for Snowman Huddle x 4

    HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS

    1/4 cup powdered gelatin
    1 cup cold water
    2 cups sugar
    2 egg whites
    2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted, plus more for dusting pan and marshmallows
    Butter, for greasing pan

    In a medium sized saucepan soak the gelatin in the water.
    After the gelatin has softened, approximately 10 minutes,
    add the regular sugar and then gently dissolve over low heat, approximately 8 minutes.
    Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

    In a mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks and then fold in the sifted confectioners’ sugar.
    While the mixer is on low, slowly poor in the cooled gelatin mixture.
    Increase the speed and beat until white and thick.
    The volume should double in size.

    Line an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with high sides with foil,
    grease slightly with butter, and coat with confectioners’ sugar.
    Alternatively, you can use a baking sheet, but the marshmallows will not be as tall.
    Pour marshmallow mixture in and top with more sifted confectioners’ sugar.
    Leave out overnight or for at least 3 hours to set.
    The marshmallow should be light and spongy when set.

    Loosen marshmallow from edges of tray and invert onto a large cutting board.
    Peel off foil and use a large knife to cut the marshmallows into cubes.
    Dredge each piece in confectioners’ sugar.

    Let me know how you like it!!  ENJOY!!

    Have a warm evening!
    Blessings to all,
    ~ Deborah
    Button GoodToTheLastDrop[1] 
    { Hey…works for Hot Cocoa, too, right??!! }

  • Cat tales and other topics……

    Bar Christmas Tree and Line

    Well, how are y’all doin’?
    I know it’s been a few days, but I’ve been nursing a sick cat….. 

                                                                                      
    Smilie Cat

    He has a urinary tract infection that started this past Tuesday.  We took him to the vet….she gave him new food, and medication to clear it up.  He was a real trooper!  She said he didn’t fight her at all, when it came to the exam, and the injections, they had to give him!  That’s my boy!!  I’ve heard horror stories from people about those wild animals who hate going to the doctor!  He was a breath of fresh air for her!  He’s been quiet since that visit though!  Not his normal perky, bouncy self!  Maybe the medication?!!  Or new food?!!  Well, that visit wasn’t the end of it!  Everynight we have to give him this little green pill, and Lewis got scratched real good tonight!  We have about 8 days of that to go, and if anyone has any suggestions as to how to get it down easier, please let me know!  Also, he’s going back on Monday the 18th, and if everything is clear, he’s going to have that infamous surgery!  He hasn’t been “fixed” yet, and they recommended it….so, he’s really going to love me when that’s over!  He’s been my buddy for 3 years now.  He has a great personality….and seems real smart….knows when to come when he’s called, and jumps on my lap to tell me when he wants to be brushed, or wants one of his special toys, or food!  He loves attention….don’t they all!!  Most cats are pretty independent….our Moosh just thinks he is!!!  I need a dog, but don’t tell him that!! 

    I’ve also been working on this blog….learning how to add items, etc., and it’s been pretty fun….but I do need some sleep!  Been busy with getting ready for another craft show this next weekend….then a three week break…..I think!  I want to enjoy family and friends at Christmas this year!  We missed seeing a lot of them last year.  One of my great nephews just went into the Navy, and we missed seeing him off…but are hoping to see him on Christmas. 

    Pic Bible Rose Tea

    Thought I’d share a thread, or two, on the season, and a word from The Word, for you to ponder >>
    We always rush, rush, rush around this time of year, (well, for that matter, most of the time) but I want to take time to sit at the Lord’s feet, and bless Him…to get refreshed, and filled so I can give to others.  Also to pray for all the men, and women, who are overseas that can’t be home with family during this Christmas season.  Not sure how all of this is going to end, regarding the war, but I do know that God is in control….the world is a scary place these days….the news reflects that every day, and I know people that can’t really enjoy this time of year because they are afraid of all that is going on.  This world has changed so much from just a few years ago…it has also changed how I see, and feel about things, as well,…but, through His Word, He has spoken to us about fear, and being afraid….there is a difference between fear…….and fear! 

    Fear…to be afraid of.  
    Fear…to have a reverent awe. 
    (Complete Christian Dictionary ~ Gospel Light Pub.)
     
    What do you fear?….. terrorism, soaring crime rates, natural disasters, energy crisis, debt……GOD?!!  
    Hmmm……interesting, isn’t it, that in a world full of so many fearful things, the single source of our refuge,
    and safety, is also the One we are instructed, in the Word, to fear? 

    Solomon said in Proverbs 14:26…
    “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.”  
    Then look at the next verse…
    Proverbs 14:27a….
    “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life…”. 

    We all try to avoid life’s fearful things because they interrupt our peace,
    still we read in the Word to have fear……the fear of GOD! 
    In Psalm 115:11 we read for those who “fear the LORD”……”He is their help and their shield.” 

    Our faith in God can deliver us from the fears of the world.

    Psalm 23:4 says…..
    “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
    thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”……but only because our faith relies on a fear that is different from
    worldly fear. 

    “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”  Proverbs 29:25.  
    To fear God, is to sense His awesomeness, and when we acknowledge His greatness, and put our trust in Him,
    He then becomes our refuge from the fears of this world, and in Him we find, and experience the peace that
    passes all understanding! (Philippians 4:6,7) 

    Blinkie Christian God is my refuge & fortress

    “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom (or what) shall I fear? ….
    the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom (or what) shall I be afraid? 
    Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
    though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”  Psalm 27: 1,3.

    Again we read……
    Proverbs 14:26,
    “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence:
    and His children shall have a place of refuge.” 
    con = with   //   fidence = faith   {with faith}
    Abide in faith through the fear {reverent awe} of the LORD!
    Remember > Fear…..NOT!!  ~  Faith…..YES!!

    Well, despite the current world’s status, I sure hope you all have a blessed weekend in His presence…..
    I’m going to be baking, cleaning, doing some much needed Christmas shopping, and trying to get those pills down my cats throat!    Hopefully, we’ll go see “The Nativity”, but my guys are working tomorrow, and possibly Sunday,  so they may be too tuckered out for any extra curricular activities!!   
    So, in the meantime, tell me what you’re all wanting for Christmas!
    Me?….I want more of God’s presence
    …..not more of man’s presents!! 
    { Although a new crockpot would be nice!!  }

    Hope you all enjoy the new “blinkies”, etc., that I’ve added! 
    Just a little bit more about me for you to know…..as if all this isn’t long enough!!
     
    But, “I’ll be back” real soon!
    Let me know if the fade out feature is working on my page. 
    I’m working on putting music on here as well….any tips as to where to get
    good music with the codes, please let me know!
     
    Warm hugs to all! (It’s like 15* here now…..I love it cold!!)
    ~ Deborah 
    Smilie Snowman Small

quote and verse

Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation.
- Andrew Murray -

God often comes to us,
not in dramatic and the spectacular,
but in quiet, unexpected ways ...
In a still, small voice,
a gentle whisper,
God makes known His love.

In quietness and trust
is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15

Pleasure, possessions, power, and privilege are ultimately worthless in comparison to the indescribable
joy of knowing GOD!!

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5,6

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:
I will guide thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

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